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MAD KNITTING!
I've got a doctorate in music, two kiddos, and a passion for making. Music gives me focus, motherhood keeps me grounded, and crafting (knitting in particular) keeps me from going mad. This blog is a glimpse into my creative life.

first birthday sweater

Our niece Claire turns 1 today. Happy Birthday, Claire! I made her a little sweater for the occasion:

You know, it is really hard to find practical knits for little people. In Wisconsin, wool sweaters can be worn 8-9 months out of the year, and I don't always use machine-washable wool for the sweaters I knit for my own kids because I do the laundry, and I don't mind hand-washing their sweaters. But when it comes to knitting for their cousins in the South, there are lots of things to consider. The climate is much warmer, those kids are younger (1 and 2.5) and therefore messier, and if I want those sweaters to actually be worn, I will make them stylish and not too funky and machine-washable. So I have to choose the right pattern and the right yarn. I would rather knit natural fibers than acrylic - even nice acrylic - so I'm always on the search for good superwash or cotton/wool blends for kids' things. Anyway, this is a long, roundabout way of saying I think I got it right this time.

This little sweater - shrug, really - was a very quick knit. I think it took me about three days from start to finish, and it was great fun. It's Stefanie Japel's Whirligig Shrug from IK Weekend. The pattern is very well-written, quite simple to knit, and it never got boring. I think it was the little ruffled edges that sold me.

Pattern: Whirligig Shrug by Stefanie JapelYarn: Elle Elite DK (50% washable wool, 50% cotton), about 2.5 skeins in white. For all the factors I considered in choosing the right pattern and yarn for this project, I realize that white is not the most practical color for a baby/toddler...but I don't care. She has dark hair and big dark eyes and I think she'll look lovely in white.Gauge/needles: 22st=4" on size 6 circs and DPNsMade for: our niece Claire for her first birthdaySize made: 24 month so she can wear this in the spring. I hope it's not huge!